Bears will use franchise tag on WR Alshon Jeffery

The Chicago Bears will use the franchise tag on star wide receiver Alshon Jeffery and thus prevent him from hitting free agency for another year, according to what a “team source” told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Hardly a surprise, but Bears are placing franchise tag on WR Alshon Jeffery, per team source.

Jeffery had an up-and-down 2015 season, as injuries limited him to nine games. In spite of that, the former second-round pick out of South Carolina posted 54 catches for 807 yards and four touchdowns as Chicago went 6-10 and finished last in the NFC North Division in its first year under John Fox. Now that he is set to receive the franchise tag, he is guaranteed to stay in the Windy City for at least one more year unless he and the Bears come to an agreement on a long-term extension.

And that is probably in the best interest of both parties. Jeffery only just turned 26 and is a Pro Bowl receiver, so it behooves Chicago to keep him long-term by any means necessary since last year’s first-round pick Kevin White missed all of 2015 with a leg injury, thus leaving the Bears thin at receiver all year long.

Thus, if Jeffery were to leave in free agency, Chicago would have to start rebuilding from the ground up.

Be sure to stay tuned to Campus Sports for any further updates on Jeffery’s talks with the Bears!